Paralympic medalist Aaron McKibbin never considered himself disabled as he faced acceptance battles

Three-time Paralympic medalist Aaron McKibbin had never considered himself as disabled growing up.

The 30-year-old Londoner was born with talipes equinovarus, also known as clubfoot, and he spent much of his childhood in and out of hospital for corrective surgery on his feet.

But through his love of sport, and his parents' upbringing, he simply never believed he had a disability or considered himself as different - a message he is keen to pass onto the younger generation now.

Originally tennis was McKibbin’s passion but he was forced to abandon it, the first battle of acceptance he had faced regarding his condition.

“At the time it was a very easy decision [to give it up] because I wasn’t happy anymore,” he said.

“I wasn’t enjoying it and it was difficult for me to deal with losing to kids that I was beating comfortably before.

“I couldn’t accept that it was my disability. Back then I didn’t class myself as disabled - I had a condition. So when people would say to me that I was disabled I’d say I just had a condition.

“For me to then start to realise that I’m losing to these kids because I’m not quicker than them - because they’re getting stronger and faster - at nine or 10 years old kids don’t have any power.

“I was beating people by skill but, as you get older, physicality becomes part of it.

“Yes I was strong, and I could hit the ball hard as well, but I wasn’t quick enough to get to the ball. That was difficult to accept.

“I was looking at it from a selfish point of view - they're not as skilful as me but I’m now losing to them.

“After a while it continually happened and it just got to the stage where I’d had enough of this now.”

Look at Aaron McKibbin now and you are met with a Team GB athlete who has